The Day Of The Triffids [Blu-ray] [2020]

So great to get such a superlative upgrade to a well-loved classic. I have to say I was genuinely startled by how good the show now looks, in comparison to its previous life as a dvd release. As a remaster, it's exceptional, and well worth your time and money. Ignore the naysayers - the overall effect is of a massive improvement. Like others, I'd have preferred more extras, but the enclosed booklet by Andrew Pixley, as ever with his work, is a great fact-filled effort that had me engrossed. As for waiting to buy in case of a recall - don't. The Beeb have stated they're happy with the work done, and so they should be. A recall exists only as a possibility in the minds of the furious few. One other thing: based on posts on other forums, one of the 1 star reviewers on here doesn't own the disc and hasn't even seen it. I find it shameful that they are allowed to post a review on here dissuading others from buying a thing that they haven't even seen themselves.

I have the original DVD and the quality is questionable at best: blurry, poor quality, drop outs. This version takes all the original SD video, 16mm and 35mm footage and provides an exceptionally clean and clear HD image. There are some people complaining about the alteration of video from 50fps to 25. It's a choice they made and I completely disagree; this is the best version you're going to get from 1980's material.This version is so much better than the 2009 BBC version, even though it is 4:3 ratio rather than widescreen.

I understand that many are decrying the de-interlacing of the Video footage, but this is not in my view too problematic. A keen eye may notice the reduced frame-rate in the progressive scan, but the image quality remains significantly upscaled from the old DVD release.Thee key benefit, is the brilliant restoration and use of the original film elements. This comprises a significant proportion of the key scenes with much of it being shot on location.Yes, it could be better if it had received the same technical know-how as received by the BBC Classic Doctor Who Collection Box Sets on Blu-Ray, and they may yet issue replacements in time, but unless you are technically knowledgeable, you may be pushed to notice what the fuss is about. It is not in my opinion, grounds to avoid this, if you are seeking to either upgrade from the DVD or buy the first time.For the time being at least, this stands as the best version available of the definitive adaptation of the Book.Update: I may also add that as far as the reduced frame rate of the studio footage is concerned, this is mainly noticeable in scenes with low lighting, especially in the earlier episodes. The more I have watched it, with normal studio lighting, I have not noticed any issue and indeed forgot about it. Put it this way, it is unlikely to distract anyone watching for the actual drama. This is after all a PG rated pre-watershed programme that strongly influenced 28 Days later amongst others (similar story beats) and packs a punch even now, without any real visual violence.

Firstly, you get a booklet (the same booklet you got with the DVD only dimensionally smaller) as well as the disc. On the disc you get the remastered episodes and an approximately 8-minute special feature which explains what remastering and restoration you get along with some examples.The quality is good rather than amazing but when comparing back to back with the DVD, chapter by chapter the DVD looks appalling. So, a significant and worthwhile upgrade for this Blu-ray and therefore worth every penny.For anyone not familiar with this production, don’t confuse it with any of the others, this one isn’t without its faults but it is the best adaptation of the original book.The only I don’t like is the cover design – I preferred the cover of the DVD release!

What a great series, now able to be seen better than ever! The DVD of this isn’t bad but suffers from the fact that the original telecine of the film sections wasn’t stabilised or cleaned and was only ever intended for standard definition UHF broadcast. The fact that series like this, the Hammer House of Horror and the Professionals have now all been remastered from the original film negatives or prints and therefore telecine’d at a much higher resolution with a proper colour grade to boot, means we can enjoy them properly on our massive flat screen TVs!The slight caveat here is that large sections of the original series were shot in the studio on standard definition 625 line studio TV cameras (probably EMI2001) and there is not much that can be done with the original videotape for these sections. Detail can’t be created where there isn’t any in the first place but a good job has been done of sharpening things up and improving contrast levels so the video sections of the series don’t jar too badly with the pristine-looking film sections.The title sequence had also been recreated with new (but perfectly-matched) text, right down to the end titles and the “BBC Colour” monogram that always rolled up at the end of programmes back in 1981!All in all, it’s an excellent remaster with a dreadful cover but don’t be put off if you enjoyed this classic series first time round!